Diabetes gestacional: uma doença, duas gerações, vários problemas

Abstract

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GMD) represents almo st 90% of all pregnancies complicated by Dia- betes, and is associated with maternal complication s and increased fetal morbidity and mortality. In Portugal, screening for GDM is performed in all pre gnancies. In spite of all the controversies in screening and diagnosis criteria for GDM, tight glycemic control with medical nutrition therapy and insulin when necessar y, are consensually regarded as improving prognosti c. Follow-up in centres with multidisciplinary teams e xperienced in GDM, is also required. The treatment of GDM includes medical nutrition therapy, farmacother apy, education and scheduled physical activity. The performance of an oral glucose tolerance test ( OGTT) 6 weeks after childbirth is currently require d in all women with GDM. These women bear a higher ri sk for the development of type 2 Diabetes, 50% higher than in the general population.